To those who haven’t undertaken them, writing courses can seem like strange and alluring practices. A lot of my friends are curious about them.
Do they teach anything you can’t find out on your own?
What sort of assessments do you get?
How accessible are they for beginners?
Are your classmates a bunch of insufferable elitists?
Chances are you may’ve asked questions like these. You may have even taken it a step further and looked into some courses near you. Great, if so, I’m here to offer some personal insight.
At the time of writing, I’m four weeks into my second year of study. Prior to enrolling, my writing experience amounted to a couple of sessions with a writers’ group, a year of workshopping on a writing forum, and an obsession with instructional books and articles – the kind that dealt with craft fundamentals.
Some students were more experienced than this, others less so. One important distinction was that before enrolling I’d had little to no face time with other writers. I had a vague idea of what ‘worked’ in a story but, because I’d so seldom found opportunities to share my work, no real way of knowing whether I was on the right track. The thought of reading my work aloud terrified me and I knew next to nothing about how the industry worked.
This, I’m delighted to say, was subject to change.
Over the next ten nights, I’m going to look at things you can expect from a writing course, beginning with …
Being part of a writing community inspires confidence!
Whether you’re a timid earthworm or the Red Lacewing of social butterflies, there’s something gratifying about being in a room full of people who share your passion. Writing is a solitary pursuit and it isn’t easy to find likeminded folk who will care about and understand your process. Writing courses are one of the few places you’re certain to meet other writers.
It’s nice to be held accountable – by friends and deadlines – for your work ethic, particularly on those difficult stretches when the words don’t come easily.
Experimenting with styles.
Life is too short to be boring, especially when it comes to writing. A lot of new writers get so comfortable with their trademark style or genre that they refuse to give any others a fair go. This is understandable; I mean, there is a certain kind of logic to it, isn’t there? We usually envision ourselves writing in a particular style because that’s the way books today are marketed. If you see yourself as a poet, a conjurer of fantasy, or a non-fiction enthusiast, then chances are this is the style you’ll devote yourself to as it’s where you wish to make the most improvement.
However, not many realise that by experimenting with different styles you can actually become a better, more well-rounded writer. The lessons you learn by trying something new will often bleed into your style or genre of choice in ways you mightn’t’ve expected. That’s not even mentioning how rewarding attempting something out of your comfort zone can be. It can also feel liberating, as the pressure to produce something amazing is lifted. You might even find yourself enjoying it more than you thought you would.
Expect to do a fair amount of experimenting with styles at a writing course. First you’ll study them, then you’ll attempt them yourselves. The key is to embrace this challenge. If you don’t go in with an open mind and a willingness to learn … well, the results will show.
Workshopping (oh, the places you’ll go!).
If lectures are the meat and veg of a writing course, then workshopping is definitely the bread and butter. Expect to do a lot of it, regardless of subject choices. In a workshopping session, class members turn in samples of their own writing for both written and verbal critiques. Don’t worry, it sounds scarier than it actually is.
Over the duration of your studies you’ll build rapport with your teachers and classmates. They’ll come to recognise strengths and weaknesses in your work, things you won’t be able to catch on your own because you’re too close.
Workshopping is invaluable and will become a vital part of your process. While self-editing is of utmost importance, a piece of writing won’t reach its true potential until others have offered their take on it. These people represent a sampling of your intended audience, so it’s important to consider their opinions. Of course, some critiques will be worth more to you than others. The author must use their own discretion when it comes to making changes. But if more than two people have the same issue, then chances are the criticism is valid. In time, you’ll come to view these less as a blow to your ego and more as an opportunity to better your work.
As they say, knowing is half the battle.
What to do with all that tasty, first-hand industry knowledge.
Most writing courses will organise guest speakers from different walks of the industry. Make sure you don’t miss these! They contain highly practical advice that will benefit anyone who wants a future in writing. Not only will you gain a greater understanding of how the industry works (both nationally and internationally), but it can also show you how your own writing goals fit in the scheme of things.
The professionals who spoke to my class were published authors, publishers, journalists, freelancers, literary festival curators, and more. They were all fantastic people with a genuine interest in helping us. They offered knowledge, advice and even a cautionary tale or two. Crucially, these guest speakers didn’t just talk at us, they asked questions and encouraged discussion.
Networking 101. Beginner’s class: ‘Hi, it’s nice to meet you!’
It has never been easier to network with other writers. Presentations from the aforementioned guest speakers are a great opportunity to network. My advice, should you find yourself listening to an industry professional, is to be engaged and make an impression.
Once you’ve physically met them you can follow them online (most professionals have an online presence). Take an interest in their projects and do your best to make it to launches and events. Professional writers are human, too, and they’ll appreciate you making an effort.
(Who knows? They could even repay the favour when the time comes for you to promote your own work.)
This stepping stone is veering from the topic at hand; in the early stages it’s perhaps more important to build relationships with your classmates than it is to worry about industry connections. I merely wished to note that writing courses can open a lot of doors for you, professionally.
However … enrolling will not grant you super-human writing powers!
There’s a common misconception going around that the sheer act of enrolling in a writing course will instantly unlock all the untapped potential within. Well, far be it from me to burst this bubble, but writing just isn’t an exact science. There is no formula, no hidden recipe for greatness. Greatness comes (I hear) from years of dedication. If you’re just starting out – hell, even if you’re at an intermediate or advanced level – a year or two at a writing course will not make you the perfect writer. It can accelerate the process, sure, but again that depends on how much individuals are willing to apply themselves.
Some students enrolled expecting the course to verify what they already knew: that they were brilliant and completely beyond the lessons on offer. (As an aside, isn’t it funny that people with these sorts of attitudes almost never have the application to back them up?) The truth is writers never really stop learning. There are always new approaches to try, new techniques to learn and boundaries to push. How many can say that about their more traditional careers?
For these students it was their attitudes that prevented them from improving. Some might not have believed they were God’s gift to writing, but they were lazy, or disinterested in what the teachers had to say.
I’m mentioning all this because a lot of students get frustrated with their lack of immediate progress. Many feel disillusioned and drop out, which is a shame. Statistics like these could be avoided if someone would have just leveled with them earlier and said, ‘Hey, if your patience can’t match your ambition then this mightn’t be the right path for you.’
Know your limitations (when studying, bench pressing or eating Christmas dinner).
There will be times when studying may seem like a bit of a grind, when you’ll feel overwhelmed or inundated with assessments. The best way to prepare for this is to know your own limitations. Don’t attempt full-time study if you know you won’t be able to prioritise it. Consider enrolling part-time or taking a short course if you feel it’d be more your speed.
Where will your qualification lead you?
A qualification in creative writing isn’t quite the same as a qualification in business or hospitality. Chances are it probably won’t land you some fantastical day job. There are exceptions, of course, but, generally speaking, writing’s a tough gig. It’s important to be somewhat realistic about what you want and where you expect to go with it. It helps if you’re in it for the right reasons. I came to regard my studies as a form of personal development and not something that had a tangible desk job waiting for me at the end of it.
There will be opportunities for further study, often in an area that’s more specialised (i.e. publishing or journalism). If you want to know where a course can lead you, check out student testimonials on the relevant institute websites (but be warned that they can be hyperbolic and tend to show only half the real picture). Professional editing is a viable (though hard to break into) alternative for those set on a career in the creative industry.
Accessibility, Opportunities, and Everything In-Between.
To finish up, I wanted to bring back the point I raised earlier about writing communities. There are a few other ways in which they can benefit you. I’ve found being around other writers a great way to keep abreast of writing competitions and opportunities. You can also turn each other onto some great new reads (let’s face it, it can be tough to find trustworthy opinions). And let’s not forget how inspiring it can be to take part in a class discussion. Involving yourself in a heated exchange of ideas is a great way to stimulate your mind.
Conclusion
One could argue that all of the above could just as easily be found in a community writers group, and I suppose it would be true. However, in my experience, writing courses offer more of a level playing field, one far more conducive to learning. Established writers groups can be cliquey and advanced. Some mightn’t have the patience for new members who are just starting out. At least in a writing course you know – regardless of individual skill level – that you’re all in the same boat. Writing courses are more welcoming because they are, by their very nature, designed to educate.
Besides, are you really going to learn anything at a writers group if the other members intimidate the hell out of you?
T.O’C.
